FPL Commercial Customer Service — Practical Guide for Facilities & Energy Managers

Primary Contacts, Online Tools, and Hours

For most commercial needs start with FPL’s dedicated business portal at https://www.fpl.com/business which provides account enrollment, upload capability for drawings, and online billing options. The general commercial customer service line is 1‑800‑226‑3545; for storm damage or outages use 1‑800‑468‑8243 (1‑800‑4OUTAGE). The corporate mailing address for escalations or signed service agreements is FPL, 700 Universe Boulevard, Juno Beach, FL 33408.

Response expectations: routine billing and meter questions are typically answered within 1–3 business days via the online portal or by phone; engineering intake for new service or major upgrades begins within 5–10 business days and then follows a multi‑step schedule (see Service Applications section below). For regulated items and tariffs refer to Florida Public Service Commission filings linked from the FPL business site; this ensures you are working with the latest price and rule sets.

Account Management, Billing Practices, and Credit

Commercial bills break into at least three measurable components: a customer charge ($/month), an energy charge ($/kWh) and a demand charge ($/kW) for larger meters. Typical FPL commercial customer charges range from approximately $20–$50/month; energy commodity rates for small businesses most recently have fallen into a roughly $0.08–$0.13/kWh band (actual tariff varies by class and season). Demand charges for larger service classes commonly range from $8–$20/kW‑month; confirm your rate schedule via the FPL business portal or the tariff PDF linked on the site.

Credit and payment: commercial accounts are generally subject to credit review. Expect one or more of these conditions: a security deposit equal to one to three months’ estimated usage, a requirement for Net 30 or Net 45 payment terms only after credit approval, or the option for automatic ACH payments to avoid late fees. Billing disputes should be initiated within 60 days of the bill date to preserve adjustment rights; keep meter readings, interval data (CSV export available on the portal), and photos as evidence.

Service Applications, New Connections, and Upgrade Timelines

New service for a small commercial location (metering up to 400 A) commonly follows: application submission → site plan and one‑line → permit issuance → meter set within 10–30 business days assuming no major line work. Larger customers (multi‑phase, >400 A, new pad‑mounted transformers, or line extensions) typically require engineering studies, easement review, and construction; allow 60–120 business days as a planning baseline and budget tens of thousands of dollars for extensions or transformer installations when the necessary distribution assets are not on site.

Required documents and studies: FPL will request an executed Service Request form, an Employer Identification Number (EIN), wiring one‑line diagrams, load letters listing connected equipment (motors, HVAC tonnage, lighting load), and proof of occupancy/ownership. Interconnection for on‑site generation (solar, CHP) requires a separate application; initial study fees vary by project size and can range from under $500 for small inverter-based systems to several thousand dollars for multi‑MW projects—confirm exact fee schedules on the interconnection page of the FPL business site.

Rates, Tariffs, and How to Control Your Bill

Understanding which tariff applies to your site is critical. Commercial customers may be on time‑of‑use (TOU) or flat energy schedules; larger customers are almost always billed on a demand‑based tariff. Typical levers to control cost are: shift loads off peak to reduce demand charges, pursue demand response enrollment for incentive payments, and install interval data loggers to identify highest demand hours (FPL’s portal provides 15‑minute interval exports for most meters).

Practical analysis: a 100 kW reduction during the monthly peak can save roughly 100 kW × demand charge ($/kW) per month — if your demand charge is $12/kW, that’s $1,200/month or $14,400/year. Use this arithmetic to justify controls, battery investment, or load‑shedding programs. For exact rate values and riders (fuel adjustment clauses, franchise fees), always reference your specific tariff number on the FPL business website or the Florida PSC docket.

Energy Efficiency, Rebates, and Demand Response Programs

FPL runs several commercial incentive pathways: prescriptive rebates for lighting and HVAC replacement, custom incentives for larger retrofit projects, and demand response programs that pay for measured load reductions during system stress. The business portal lists program guides and pre‑approval forms; typical prescriptive rebates for LED retrofits run from $5–$25 per fixture depending on fixture type and control requirements, while custom projects are evaluated on a $/kW or $/kWh avoided basis.

Enrollment strategy: compile an energy baseline using 12 months of interval data before applying for custom incentives; this speeds engineering review and increases the accuracy of projected avoided energy/kW. Demand response payouts can be structured as capacity payments (e.g., $/kW-year) plus event energy payments — use a 3–5 year payback hurdle when sizing batteries or automation to participate.

Documents to Have Ready (Checklist)

• Completed Service Request / Application, signed lease or deed (proof of address), and EIN (Employer Identification Number).
• Electrical one‑line, load letter with nameplate kW/kVA for major equipment, and single‑line showing meter, transformer, and protective devices.
• Construction permit number, easement documents if on new right‑of‑way, and site plans showing electrical equipment locations (municipal permit may be required before FPL crews set hardware).

Quick Response Checklist for Outages or Emergency Service

• Call outage hotline 1‑800‑468‑8243 immediately and note the outage ticket number; document time, impacted equipment, and any damage photos for claims.
• Switch to safety procedures: isolate critical loads, start backup generation as needed, and have contract electricians and insurance contact info ready; for partial site re‑feeds request temporary service via FPL’s service restoration team through the portal.

Final note: treat the FPL business portal and tariff PDFs as authoritative for pricing, fees and schedules. For complex projects engage FPL’s commercial account executive early (via 1‑800‑226‑3545 or the portal) and secure pre‑approval for incentives or construction work to avoid rework and unexpected costs.